| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Massachusetts state Room Occupancy Excise Tax applies. Administered entirely by Massachusetts DOR — 5.7% state rate + local option rate. City of Salem |
| Night / Day Cap | No explicit annual day cap specified in ordinance. STR defined as rental for less than 30 consecutive days. |
| Minimum Stay | More than 3 consecutive days and less than 30 consecutive days constitutes a STR under the ordinance. Rentals of 3 or fewer consecutive days are not c |
| Permit Fee | Annual STR Registration: $50 fee. Certificate of Fitness (annual inspection): $50 fee. Non-owner-occupied legacy permit holders must also pay non-owne |
| Penalties | Unregistered STR: $100 fine. Failure to maintain Certificate of Fitness: $50 per day until compliant. Additional penalties per Salem Code of Ordinance |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes — effective July 16, 2018. New non-owner-occupied STRs are strictly prohibited. Only owner-occupied (primary residence) STRs may register. Legacy |
| Occupancy Limit | Maximum 3 unrelated persons per dwelling unit (per Salem Code limits on unrelated occupants). |
Short-term rentals in Salem, Massachusetts are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Annual STR Registration: $50 fee. Certificate of Fitness (annual inspection): $50 fee. Non-owner-occ.
Short-term rental operators in Salem should be aware of these tax obligations: Massachusetts state Room Occupancy Excise Tax applies. Administered entirely by Massachusetts DOR — 5.7% state rate + local option rate. City of Salem has no role in tax collection; inquiries to MassDOR at 800-392-6089. Platforms like Airbnb typicall.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Salem include: Primary residence requirement: Yes — effective July 16, 2018. New non-owner-occupied STRs are strictly prohibited. Only owner-occupied (primary residen. Rental day cap: No explicit annual day cap specified in ordinance. STR defined as rental for less than 30 consecutive days.. Occupancy limit: Maximum 3 unrelated persons per dwelling unit (per Salem Code limits on unrelated occupants).. Minimum stay: More than 3 consecutive days and less than 30 consecutive days constitutes a STR under the ordinance. Rentals of 3 or fe.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Salem: STR use restricted to certain neighborhoods/zoning districts per the City's ordinance. Specific eligible zones defined in Salem Code of Ordinances Chapter 15. Operators must verify their address is in. Density rules: No explicit density cap per district stated in publicly available sources. Non-owner-occupied new STRs banned since July 16, 2018, which functionally . Insurance: Not explicitly required by ordinance. Certificate of Fitness (annual health/sanitary inspection by H.
Hosts who fail to comply with Salem's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Unregistered STR: $100 fine. Failure to maintain Certificate of Fitness: $50 per day until compliant. Additional penalties per Salem Code of Ordinances Chapter 15..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Salem: Listing must include required information per Salem ordinance. Platforms must list registration details. Operators must notify guests of applicable rules (parking, noise, etc.). Per Massachusetts stat.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Salem but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Salem's STR ordinance (Chapter 15, Code of Ordinances) took effect April 15, 2019. No new non-owner-occupied STRs have been permitted since July 16, 2018. Legacy non-owner-occupied operators needed to
Yes. Salem requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Salem are subject to the following tax obligations: Massachusetts state Room Occupancy Excise Tax applies. Administered entirely by Massachusetts DOR — 5.7% state rate + local option rate. City of Salem has no role in tax collection; inquiries to MassDOR at 800-392-6089. Platforms like Airbnb typically collect and remit on behalf of hosts..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Salem may face enforcement. Unregistered STR: $100 fine. Failure to maintain Certificate of Fitness: $50 per day until compliant. Additional penalties per Salem Code of Ordinances Chapter 15..
Salem is a high-demand tourism destination (especially during October/Halloween season). The owner-occupancy requirement significantly restricts the STR market. Zoning restrictions further limit eligible properties by neighborhood. Code of Ordinances Chapter 15 is the governing document. Salem's Health Department administers the Certificate of Fitness.
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